12 Ups & 0 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Jul 22)

3. Cody & Kingston Get Ugly

Cody vs. Eddie Kingston was great, primarily because it was completely unlike any of 'The American Nightmare's' other TNT Championship matches to date.

This was an ugly, violent brawl enhanced by the no DQ stipulation, which was leaned on without becoming a clutch. The increased freedom allowed a well-built thumbtacks spot that saw multiple teases before Cody was powerbombed onto them after targeting Kingston's knee throughout. This began when Eddie hurt the joint while taking a back body drop on the outside. It was then targeted throughout, with Cody relentless and remorseless in his approach, while Kingston sold tremendously, even on offense. One particularly great spot saw his knee collapse when Cody tried to whip him across the ring.

More of an Eddie Kingston fight than a Cody match, it began with one of the dirtiest fighters in the game clobbering the sh*t out of 'The Nightmare' early on, swinging for his Backfist to the Future early. This played to Kingston's strengths. So elite are his microphone skills that it often leads to many underestimating his pure wrestling ability, though he thrives in environments like this.

Cody was raging by the end, slapping Kingston hard as he locked him in a Figure Four. This was enough for 'King' to relent, though he had taken a piece of Cody with him, putting the TNT Champion through hell for his win.